Albariño is an exciting new variety in New Zealand. Attractive, fresh, mouth-filling and food friendly, it's originally from the north west of Spain and Portugal. Aficionados will also want to explore some of these good value rieslings.
BEST VALUE
$23
Four stars (out of five)
Good Value
Four years has transformed this into mature, complex wine, fragrant with hints of lime, honey, even petrol, intense and almost oily with a mouth-watering shaft of lively acidity and a long finish.
$17
Three and a half stars
Good value
A lively wine hinting of stewed apple and lime, with a mineral undertone, a suggestion of sweet marmalade, and a crisp, dry finish.
$27
Three and a half stars
Below average value
Fragrant with hints of honey and dried apricot indicating some botrytis, this is medium sweet with an almost oily texture and a crisp, dry finish.
$22
Three and a half stars
Good value
With hints of rose petals, lychees and ginger, this is rich and oily, weighty in the mouth but nicely balanced with a clean finish.
$38
Three and a half stars
Below average value
P used to come from Gisborne, but this vintage from Marlborough retains the big, over the top style, - oozing rose petals, lychees, ginger and exotic spices, mouth-filling, oily textured and over the top, but with a bright, clean, if hot, finish.
$24
Three and a half stars
Average value
Fragrant with hints of ripe apple and stonefruit, mouth-filling with suggestions of beeswax and ground almonds, and a long, lively, dry finish. This is the wine we kept coming back to.
ANOTHER GLASS
Riverby Estate Marlborough Riesling 2012
$22
Three stars
Below average value
A lean wine with a hint of lime, a steely shaft of acidity and a crisp, dry finish.
